Obituary for Wilmer Earl Wise
LIFE STORY PROUDLY PREPARED BY THE FAMILY:
Wilmer E. Wise died on January 3rd, 2022 from complications of a stroke. He was born on August 6, 1931 on a 140 acre dairy farm in York County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Walter and Clara (Wiley) Wise.
Wilmer graduated from the former Delta High School in Peach Bottom Township, Pennsylvania. He was an athletic student who participated in several school sports. He was also elected the class president to both his freshman and senior class.
He graduated from Penn State University in 1953 and then went on to earn a Master’s degree at Temple University. In 1963, Wilmer received his Doctorate in counseling from Penn State University.
Dr. Wise had an extensive and successful career. He began as a high school teacher in Oxford, Pennsylvania. He was then employed by Penn State University as the Assistant Dean of Men in charge of the Social Fraternity Organization. Dr. Wise then continued working in higher education as a lecturer at the University of Maryland, European Division. He was eventually employed by the State of Delaware as the Director of Research for The Department of Public Instruction. He was a Board Member and Chairman of Research for Better Schools, a United States Regional Educational Laboratory, and an educational consultant to the U.S. Department of Education.
In 1962, during his tenure as the Dean of Men’s Staff at Penn State University, the University received the National Inter-Fraternity Council Award, declaring Penn State the most outstanding Fraternity System in the United States. Dr. Wise was very proud of that.
Dr. Wise was also instrumental in formulating the Delaware Public School Educational Accountability System (DEAS) in the early 1970’s.
In 1963, Dr. Wise accepted a position as a lecturer for the University of Maryland, European Division. During his tenure, he met a German student at the University of Heidelberg. This relationship led to marriage in 1965. Upon return from Europe, Dr. Wise accepted a position as the Director of Research for the Department of Public Instruction in Dover, Delaware.
In retirement; Will, as he was known, enjoyed many athletic activities, with golf being his favorite. He was especially proud of his 67 golf score at the age of 67! Family events and traveling were highlights of his life with trips to Germany, Egypt, Russia, Lithuania, Spain, and Bermuda.
Will is survived by his wife, Isabel Kern Wise; his children, Mark Wise (Jennifer) of Lombard, Illinois and Susan Yerger (Brian) of Hockessin, Delaware; his granddaughters, Katarina Yerger, Sonja Wise, Tessa Yerger and Claudia Wise.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings; Paul Wise, Ross Wise, Ruth King and Edith Kegg.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2022 beginning at 11 am at Slateville Presbyterian Church, 308 Slateville Road, Delta, PA 17314 with Reverend Kenneth Osborne officiating. Inurnment will follow the service in Slateville Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Slateville Presbyterian Church, at the above address.
Harkins Funeral Home, Inc. of Delta, PA, has been entrusted with arrangements.
Wilmer E. Wise died on January 3rd, 2022 from complications of a stroke. He was born on August 6, 1931 on a 140 acre dairy farm in York County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Walter and Clara (Wiley) Wise.
Wilmer graduated from the former Delta High School in Peach Bottom Township, Pennsylvania. He was an athletic student who participated in several school sports. He was also elected the class president to both his freshman and senior class.
He graduated from Penn State University in 1953 and then went on to earn a Master’s degree at Temple University. In 1963, Wilmer received his Doctorate in counseling from Penn State University.
Dr. Wise had an extensive and successful career. He began as a high school teacher in Oxford, Pennsylvania. He was then employed by Penn State University as the Assistant Dean of Men in charge of the Social Fraternity Organization. Dr. Wise then continued working in higher education as a lecturer at the University of Maryland, European Division. He was eventually employed by the State of Delaware as the Director of Research for The Department of Public Instruction. He was a Board Member and Chairman of Research for Better Schools, a United States Regional Educational Laboratory, and an educational consultant to the U.S. Department of Education.
In 1962, during his tenure as the Dean of Men’s Staff at Penn State University, the University received the National Inter-Fraternity Council Award, declaring Penn State the most outstanding Fraternity System in the United States. Dr. Wise was very proud of that.
Dr. Wise was also instrumental in formulating the Delaware Public School Educational Accountability System (DEAS) in the early 1970’s.
In 1963, Dr. Wise accepted a position as a lecturer for the University of Maryland, European Division. During his tenure, he met a German student at the University of Heidelberg. This relationship led to marriage in 1965. Upon return from Europe, Dr. Wise accepted a position as the Director of Research for the Department of Public Instruction in Dover, Delaware.
In retirement; Will, as he was known, enjoyed many athletic activities, with golf being his favorite. He was especially proud of his 67 golf score at the age of 67! Family events and traveling were highlights of his life with trips to Germany, Egypt, Russia, Lithuania, Spain, and Bermuda.
Will is survived by his wife, Isabel Kern Wise; his children, Mark Wise (Jennifer) of Lombard, Illinois and Susan Yerger (Brian) of Hockessin, Delaware; his granddaughters, Katarina Yerger, Sonja Wise, Tessa Yerger and Claudia Wise.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings; Paul Wise, Ross Wise, Ruth King and Edith Kegg.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2022 beginning at 11 am at Slateville Presbyterian Church, 308 Slateville Road, Delta, PA 17314 with Reverend Kenneth Osborne officiating. Inurnment will follow the service in Slateville Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Slateville Presbyterian Church, at the above address.
Harkins Funeral Home, Inc. of Delta, PA, has been entrusted with arrangements.